Page 98 of Crew Princess
I was stunned.
“The Broudous aren’t really talked about here at all.”
“I know, because of what Budd tried to do. I was in school then. I know what happened.”
“I do too.”
She frowned, wrinkling her nose. Her hair was normally flawless, but as I said that, she reached for a strand. She began twisting it, as if it were a nervous habit. “What do you mean you know too.”
“I know the history, who Brett Broudou tried to rape. I know who stopped him. I know who his intended target was.”
She swallowed, blinking a few times. “I—that’s not publicly known. Some people would know, but the general public…” She shook her head, as if trying to convince herself.
I dropped my last card. “I lied to you about not knowing Channing Monroe.”
She stilled. Frowning. “Say again?”
“Channing Monroe is my brother. Heather Jax is going to be my sister-in-law. And I talked to both of them this morning. They told me you usually go by Becky Sallaway. They told me a whole bunch of stuff about you.”
She was silent, her eyes complete saucers. Her chin trembled, but after a moment she let out a deep breath and rolled her shoulders back.
Five seconds passed.
Thirty.
Her forehead was wrinkled. An entire chunk of hair fell over her forehead, hanging in her eyes.
Still. Nothing.
Then she seemed to decide something, and her eyes found mine, crystal clear, and she started.
“The executive producers asked for information only from people who agreed to be interviewed. Your principal and your counselor both approached me. They both offered to have off-the-record interviews. I turned them down. It was obvious they wanted to give us information we weren’t sure we wanted to know, and anything we get off-record, we can’t use. They were both adamant about it being off the record. I’m wondering now if they both, in their ways, wanted to tell me about your relation to someone I used to consider a friend.” Her voice broke. “I messed up a while ago, more than a few times, and I have some burdens to bear because of that. This documentary is my apology to her. The executive producers of this project—I think it’s their apology too. We came in with our own agenda, but it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s not what anyone is thinking, so while I can’t tell you fully what’s going to end up on the editing room floor, I can say that you want us here. Other projects were in the wind about coming here, and those wouldn’t have been as favorable. We got here first. That’s big in our industry. Those other pieces won’t be so kind.”
Her eyes were swimming in unshed tears, but her head was up. Her chin was rock solid.
“I was engaged to someone who wanted to hurt Samantha and Mason. Sam tried to tell me, but I chose him. I chose wrong. I’m trying to do right bythemthis time.”
I glanced away.
Thinking.
Weighing the pros and cons.
I decided.
“I still would like to be interviewed, because whether it was your intention or not, I know my principal wants attention drawn to the crew system here. I need to make sure both sides are told.”
She was nodding before I’d finished, and she tucked that strand of hair behind her ear. “I think hearing both sides would be good.” She coughed, clearing her throat, getting herself back in check. “We would love to interview you andyourcrew.”
I looked back at her.
She flinched. “And everyone else who needs to redo their interviews, apparently.”
After talking to Becca/Becky, I was officially let go as her helper.
I’d fulfilled my community service hours by then, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Monica came in just as Becca was saying she needed to have a “talk” with Principal Broghers. I didn’t know what that was all about, but it wasn’t my problem. None of this was my problem anymore. As Becca swept out the door, Monica bit her lip, seeming to wait for whatever I was going to say to her.
